asked the Minister for Health if X-rays, pathology, transfusions, theatre fee, physiotherapy and chemistry are covered by Health Board contributions of eligible hospital patients who are in private or semi-private wards.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Services.
6.
No. These charges generally are payable by the patient himself. The only exception to this in the list of items quoted by the Deputy relates to blood and blood products. The patient does not have to meet charges for these to the extent that they exceed £4.20.
There is a matter that I should like the Minister to explain. If a patient goes into a public ward and is paid for by the Health Board, the charges for X-ray and the other items mentioned here are paid for as an inclusive charge. If a patient goes into a private or semi-private ward he is required to pay for these as extras, as if he were in a hotel. Would the Minister not agree that as X-rays and these other treatments have to be applied whether or not the patient is in a public or private ward, the question of extra payment should not arise?
I do not think that any change can be made at the present time. As the Deputy knows, there are a large number of persons who are eligible for hospital service payments with a contribution of £7 who also take voluntary health insurance which covers these items.
Surely the Minister is aware that if a farm worker or a road worker who goes into hospital happens for any reason to take even a semi-private ward—as so many do— the Health Board pay for a certain amount; if the patient had remained in a public ward it would be the full amount. Yet, the hospital authorities feel that they are entitled to charge £30 or £40 a week extra for simple matters for which they are already being paid? The Minister should do something about this.
It might be possible to do something about it at a later date but not at the moment.